MY NAME IS DAISY - NOT A BAD DUCK
11. Best Graduate Student

The graduation ceremony is over. Special events for Daisy, Maxi and Yazid. Daisy was called first as a student with the title of the highest honor or with the highest prestige or summa cumlaude, which is the perfect score. He is the best graduate student of the year.

The presence of Grandpa Edoardo and Grandma Luisa sitting at the very front row for the guest of honor invited attention. There are three grandchildren of the Edoardo noble family who are in residence today. Moreover, one of them is the youngest student as the best graduate.

Daisy, Maxi and Yazid are different faculties. So where they sit far away.

During a family photo session, Daisy is accompanied by Grandpa Edoardo and Grandma Luisa.

Maxi was accompanied by Luca's uncle and Victoria's aunt, while Yazid was accompanied by Aunt Naomi and Uncle Husain.

After that they all took pictures with Edoardo's grandfather and Grandma Luisa.

"How are you doing now, Daisy?"ask aunt Naomi to approach Daisy after a photo shoot together.

"Auntie and uncle apologize for what Cleo did to you. We've punished him so that he doesn't repeat such a deed again."Aunt Naomi held up a little of Daisy's toga cap to look at the bandages that were still neatly attached.

"It's improved, aunt. Wait about two days maybe it's dried up the wound" Daisy's answer.

"Oh yes, congratulations on your achievement. You're great, just like your mom and dad. They're so smart" Naomi's aunt hugged Daisy warmly.

Daisy feels awkward. Because this was the first time Naomi's aunt greeted and hugged her.

"Thank you, aunt" said Daisy.

Does aunt Naomi know mom? Why did he say that I was so smart like mom and dad? Think Daisy.

Uncle Husen greets Daisy while stroking her head.

"Congratulations on your achievements, smart girl" said uncle Husain.

"Thank you, Uncle" said Daisy.

They seem very friendly. All this time Daisy saw them very stiff and scary. Never say hello or smile at him.

Uncle Husain looked at her as if tracing every inch of Daisy's face. Makes Daisy feel clumsy.

Uncle Husain sighed heavily and smiled as he rubbed Daisy's head still covered with toga.

Naomi's aunt cleared her throat and Husain's uncle immediately moved away from Daisy.

Like there's something strange between them. Think Daisy.

Not long after that, Yazid approached. Experiencing Daisy. She was about to hug, but immediately canceled her hug plan . Because Maxi was suddenly already next to Daisy.

"May I hold your hand, Daisy?" ask Maxi.

"Please Max" Daisy extended her hand.

Maxi grabs Daisy's hand and looks with a wary look at Yazid. Daisy turned to look at Maxi while smiling sweetly. Makes Yazid surprised to see Maxi's attitude to Daisy. Why is that cold and arrogant face now so familiar and so sweet to Daisy?  Thought Yazid was unhappy.

Yazid recalled the garden party, when Maxi seemed to always try to get close to Daisy. Though at that time Daisy still looks cold on Maxi. This time, they both look very familiar.

"Congratulations, Daisy. The youngest and best graduate student" Yazid said with a fluffy smile. Yazid's face tended to be more of a typical middle-eastern man, much like Husain's uncle.

"Thank you. Congratulations to you, Yazid"Sahut Daisy.

"Congratulations too, Maxi. Finally you pass" Yazid puts his hand forward and invites Maxi to shake hands. Of course with a mocking smile. Because Maxi should have graduated first from Yazid.

"I graduated late not because I was stupid and lazy but because I was busy. The proof of my grades is good all" said Maxi.

"Happy graduation too, hopefully your grades are good" said Maxi.

Yazid laughs. She hugged Maxi. Then pat Maxi on the back.  The other person who saw must have thought they were very familiar.

"Why do you dare to hold Daisy's hand?" Tanya Yazid whispered.

Maxi laughing.

"Originally you know, Mr. Yazid. Daisy Fiorella Alessio is my future wife. I knew you were gonna hug him. No one can but me" Maxi replied in a whisper with emphasis.

Yazid let go of his embrace. Staring at Maxi and Daisy alternately. He did not accept what Maxi said.

"You are very familiar. When you're home, you're never seen chatting" Uncle Luca and Aunt Victoria approach them.

"We're actually familiar, just invisible. Right Yazid?" Maxi hugged Yazid's arm very tightly, until Yazid grimaced in pain.

"Yes right we're familiar actually. It's just that Maxi's too shut down at home. Always busy" Yazid tries to let go of Maxi's embrace. Maxi's strong and tight arm muscles felt like they deliberately wanted to squeeze his body to pieces.

"I'm really busy, Yazid. It's you, always spend time playing" Maxi said. He let go of his embrace . Yazid breathed a sigh of relief.

Daisy who saw that could only help but laugh.

"Looks like you need a sport, Yazid. Your body is so soft. How about we go to the gym together?" Maxi. Yazid, who was still grimacing in pain, looked upset.

"Daisy, congratulations. You're a great kid" uncle Luca congratulated.

"Congratulations, dear. We're all proud of you"Aunt Victoria hugged Daisy warmly.

Daisy felt disbelief. Why was his uncle and aunt now being so kind to him. All this time, it was as if they did not consider themselves to exist.

"Then..the two of you how about after this?" Ask uncle Luca.

"Daisy's only seventeen years old, dad. I'll wait until she's twenty to marry him" Maxi said, turning her head toward him.

Aunt Victoria held back her laughter, while uncle Luca could not help but laugh.

"Dad you mean, after this, would you like to come straight home or come with us for lunch outside? I just sent a chat to your phone" said Uncle Luca. Shame Maxi. Maxi quickly grabbed his phone which he kept in his pants pocket. He has not activated his phone yet.

"You've planned to marry her" uncle Luca laughed again.

Aunt Victoria just laughed softly.

Daisy smilingly looked at Maxi who was looking at her shyly while taking off her toga hat and scrambling the origin of her own hair.

"We went with my mom and dad to lunch together. You want to, right?" Maxi grabs Daisy's hand.

"Well, I'm with my uncle and aunt" Daisy replied. He's got nothing to show after from here. Uncle Luca and Aunt Victoria were kind enough to ask him. It is not good to refuse it.

Grandpa and Grandma were still talking to the college officials and some of the honored guests. After the photo show, grandparents allowed Daisy to go home first. Because Grandpa and Grandma will continue to attend the invitation of the event at the office of the interior minister.

So Daisy decided to just come along.

They're out of the building hall. Daisy and Maxi walk side by side behind uncle Luca and aunt Victoria.

A few meters behind them, Yazid seems annoyed to see Maxi holding hands with Daisy. Maxi turned to Daisy with a smile. Daisy too. They look happy. But Yazid didn't.

***

The atmosphere in this Japanese restaurant is very comfortable. They sat in a VIP room for four people with a Japanese dining table without seats. They sat on a wooden floor with padded pads. Daisy sits next to Maxi. In front of them sat uncle Luca and aunt Victoria.

They ordered sushi and some dessert.

"You try this one. It tastes good in my opinion" Maxi thrusts a piece of sushi clamped chopsticks into Daisy's mouth.

"Fill grilled salmon and sliced avocado" Maxi said again. Daisy tried some sushi at this restaurant with miss Aneth some time ago. And the sushi Maxi chose was one of his few favorite sushi. Because he prefers fish baked first than raw ones.

Daisy looked at her uncle and aunt timidly.

"It's okay. Just relax. We already understand the behavior of young people" said uncle Luca. Maxi laughed until his hands shook. He put the chopsticks back with the shushi to his plate.

"Continue on, Maxi. Assume we don't exist" victoria's aunt smiled cutely.

"More times maybe I'll get Daisy to eat just the two" Maxi murmured.

"Max...." Daisy muttered, her cheeks have been blushing ever since.

My aunt and uncle laughed.

"Remember, if you two go. Must be able to take care of yourself. You should really take care of Daisy, Maxi" Uncle Luca warned.

"Yes, dad"Well, Maxi.

He knows the risks. Everything about Daisy means dealing with Edoardo's grandfather.

"Then you didn't share your sister with Daisy?" Victoria's aunt asked, staring at the sushi that Maxi put back on her plate.

"We didn't see you!" Uncle Luca muttered as he bribed one sushi. Throwing his gaze in any direction held back a laugh.

But they ended up laughing together.

"Will....." Maxi feeds a piece of shushi into Daisy's mouth.

Daisy gave her thumb a sign of gratitude, because her mouth was full.

"Aren't you going to offer me to try your sushi?" Ask Maxi.

Uncle Luca shook his head.

"Of course, you can try it, Max" Daisy lets Maxi take it off her plate. He raised his saucer towards Maxi.

"This is a piece of crab meat with a sprinkling of black pepper and a little sesame in its rice" Daisy explained.

"O yes, there is a fresh cut of cucumber in it. You must like it"

"Aren't you going to bribe me?" Ask Maxi. Daisy glared at Maxi. She was ashamed of her aunt and uncle.

"Please...." Maxi muttered softly. Daisy knows Maxi is purposely bullying her.

"Well, Max" Daisy feeds Maxi a piece of sushi from her plate.

Uncle and aunt looked at each other then simultaneously shook their heads.

"Maxi..Maxi.you're this" muttered aunt Victoria. But in his heart he was happy. Maxi rarely smiles. He always shuts himself up. Be cold and will get angry quickly if offended. He saw Maxi looking very happy. His face was cheerful and looked full of excitement.

They continued their afternoon lunches with small talk about the food and drink menu and the desserts they ate. It felt like they had been familiar for a long time.

***